Stepmom Sanity

Author and speaker Kia Stephens shares about her book, Overcoming Father Wounds: Exchanging Your Pain for God's Perfect Love, speaking to wounded women everywhere about the power of God's love to transform them and redeem their brokenness. Listen as she declares that our father wounds do not have the last word in your life; God does, and gives practical tips for helping the daughter's in our care recover from the same. Connect with Kia: Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Purchase Overcoming Father Wounds at Amazon Register for Blended and Blessed Join the Stepmom Sanity Community Thank you for listening to the Stepmom Sanity Podcast. Production and Editing by SMS Intro and Outro Music, "Reveillez Vous," by Peter White

How would you feel if you could change the narrative on your family? What if your brokenness is not only okay, but beautiful in the eyes of our Lord? Our guest, Elisa Morgan, helps us reframe our thinking so we can receive the blessing of brokenness and broken people. Elisa Morgan (MDiv) has authored over twenty-five books including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, She Did What She Could, When We Pray Like Jesus and You Are Not Alone. For twenty years, Elisa served as CEO of MOPS International and now is President Emerita. She writes for Our Daily Bread Devotional and co-hosts Discover the Word and God Hears Her for Our Daily Bread Ministries. With her husband of forty-three years, Evan, she has two grown children and two grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado. Her constant companion is Mia, an elderly Jack Russell who shadows her every move. Ways to Connect with Elisa: Website: elisamorgan.com   Facebook: @ElisaMorganAuthor  Instagram @ElisaMorganAuthor  Twitter @elisa_morgan  God Hears Her Podcast   and Discover the Word Podcasts   Grab Your Copy of Thick Skin, Tender Heart

It's been said that we train others how to treat us. But what if we don't know how to do that? What if we struggle with accommodating unacceptable behavior? Even worse, what if we think it's biblical to do so? Our guest today unpacks the importance of establishing and maintaining good boundaries in your blended family. Download Thick Skin Tender Heart: Biblical Ways to Build Healthy Boundaries Purchase One Plus One Equals Ten: A First Lady's Survival Guide for Stepmoms Connect with Dr. Janice Love: Website, Twitter, YouTube The First Lady Coach - Facebook, Instagram

It has been said that ministry to blended families is a high-need low-demand endeavor. However, if we're going to have healthy, functioning blended families we need the cheering and support of our church communities. For every pastor, ministry leader, and Joe next door, wanting to be part of the team that meets the demand, this conversation may just be the nudge you need. Connect with Ron Deal Register for the Next Preparing to Blend Leadership Training Join us for Women in Blended Holiday Edition Listen to Family Life Blended Podcast Episode 92: The Fields Are White for Harvest: Teaching Pastors Speak Out About Blended Family Ministry

In Blended and Redeemed, Scott and Vanessa have provided a roadmap through the challenges unique to living in a step family. Their vulnerable and empathetic voice invites readers to honest reflection. Their unwavering adherence to the Word of God invites readers to challenge their hard emotions with hard truth. Using their own story as a backdrop, Scott and Vanessa demonstrate how practical steps and Biblical principles work hand in hand to help couples create workable solutions for what may seem to be unwinnable circumstances. Join Cheryl, Scott and Vanessa, as they talk about the victory of being blended and redeemed. Download our free resource: Stepmom Prayers – A Month of Prayers for The Blend Purchase the Blended and Redeemed Book  Visit the Blended Kingdom Families website Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Support the ministry of Blended Kingdom Families

A well-adjusted, inclusive bonus grandparent can make a huge a difference in helping a blended family bond... and a divisive grandparent can cause great harm.  Join Cheryl, author, Jennifer Elwood, and Cheryl's mother, Gwen Brown, as they chat about grandparenting in a blended family. Find our more about Jennifer and here ministry here.  Follow Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram.  Purchase Count Up to Christmas here.  Read Stepmom Sanity's new blog: Grandparenting Step by Step Do's and Don't

Join Cheryl and Ron Deal as they chat about overcoming territory wars in blended families. If you are struggling in an us vs. them dynamic in your home, you will want to listen in. Link to Purchase Books Mentioned in Podcast Episode: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Waiting to Be Wanted: A Stepmom's Guide to Loving Before Being Loved Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning Building Love Together in Blended Families: The 5 Love Languages and Becoming Stepfamily Smart In the words of Family Life Blended: "If you want to be a catalyst and effect change in your church and community come join a growing movement of leaders ministering to stepfamilies." Check out the Summit on Stepfamily Ministry for additional information or to register!

As Christ-following, Bonus Moms, we are called to love and serve children who may act out of hurt, without absorbing the pain of their hurtful actions. Putting Christ at the center of our stepmothering is imperative for accomplishing God's purpose in and through us for our families. Join Cheryl and Summer Butler as they chat about rising to the call of Christ-Centered Stepmothering.  LINKS TO RESOURCES Blended: Aligning the Hierarchy of Heart + Home Blended Leader Bundle: Videos, Leader Guide, and Book Coaching with Summer Butler Flipped Script: 15 Tips to Avoid Being a High-Conflict Stepmom

Financial issues have the ability to dash your dreams for couple unity and family bonding. Listen in as Cheryl provides beyond the basic money moves every blended family should make. RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Crown The Smart Stepfamily Guide to Financial Planning: Money Management Before and After You Blend a Family by Ron Deal, Greg Pettys, and David O. Edwards Give, Save & Spend: Finances God’s Way – Free Course on Our Daily Bread University Christian Community Credit Union and Green Path Financial Wellness 

Join Cheryl in this Special Edition Father's Day conversation with her husband, Jonathan. 

Have you ever wondered if you were noticed, or appreciated? Well, you are. We see you and we are cheering for you. And every year we choose a Stepmom of the Year to remind her, and you, that what we do matters. Join Cheryl as she chats with our Stepmom Sanity Stepmom of the Year, Jennifer Kolf. Be encouraged as Jennifer shares her triumphs, challenges, and common sense approach to stepmomming in grace. 

Most couples, no matter how in love they may be, struggle with spiritual intimacy. I know Jonathan and I do. But what if, rather than drive us apart, these struggles are opportunities to press towards deeper intimacy, not just with each other but the Lord ? What if, there was a resource that helped us have conversations designed to humble us, invite God into our marriage, and pull us towards one another? Emily Jordan, founder of The Joyful Stepmom has created just such a resource. Join us for a conversation about her new devotional: The Blended Family Devotional for Couples: 52 Weeks of Growing Together, Leading Your Family, and Learning from God Purchase Emily's Book on Amazon Connect with Emily and The Joyful Stepmom Community on Facebook. And check out her website for additional resources or to find a local chapter.

Join Cheryl, her mom, and a few of her friends as they discuss what it means to have a "living hope" in these turbulent times.  Connect with our guests: Sara Broyhill Anderson:                Website: Fruits of Faith Ministries Facebook: Fruits of Faith Ministries Instagram: Fruits of Faith Ministries Youtube: Fruits of Faith                 You may purchase Sara's book, The Best is Yet to Come, here.  Angie Baughman:                  Website: Live Steady On Facebook: Live Steady On Instagram: Angie Baughman Tonya Roberson:                    Website: www.tonyarobersonministries.com Facebook: Tonya Roberson Ministries Instragram: Tonya Roberson Ministries

Join Cheryl as she chats with Ebony Mason, co-founder of "Blendistry."  Ebony shares her unique way for tackling holiday stress unique to blended families. Blendistry is an outreach ministry for blended families to grow closer to each other and God through their shared stories of struggles and triumphs. Blendistry “Blending Families Through Ministry” 205-253-0616 blendistry@yahoo.com www.blendistry.org

What if someone gave you a roadmap for entering blended family marriage well? What if you, as a pastor, step-couple coach, or counselor, knew exactly what to do to help the engaged couples you serve lay a foundation for success?  Bestselling author of The Smart Stepfamily series, and director of Family Life Blended, Ron Deal, has written just such a resource. Listen in as Cheryl and Ron discuss his new book, Preparing to Blend: The Couple's Guide to Becoming a Smart Stepfamily. It is sure to become the premiere premarital guide for blended-family couples. Purchase Preparing to Blend today at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles.  Email Ron or follow him at Family Life Blended Facebook Instagram -or- Twitter

Whether we call it step, co, nacho, or parallel, we all parent and the children we parent manage some type of loss. None, however, is more keenly felt that loss due to the death of parent. I have experienced this in my own blended family. And so has our guest, Gayla Grace. Join us in a conversation about parenting the grieving bonus child.  Gayla's book, Stepparenting with Grace: A Devotional for Blended Families,  provides companionship, encouragement, understanding, and biblical insights from a veteran stepmom. This trusted resource will help you gain strength, wisdom, and comfort as you navigate the often rocky terrain of blending a family. You can purchase her book here.  Email Grace at gayla.grace@familylife.com Connect with her on Facebook. Be blessed by her ministry and resources at Family Life Blended or on her website, Stepparenting With Grace.

We are so excited for you to meet our inaugural Stepmom of the Year, Cassie Rogers. Cassie was nominated by the Bio-Mom of one of her children. She is a phenomenal Bonus Mom, doing all she does while battling Stage-2 Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Take a moment to hear the wisdom she shares.

Cheryl chats with Canadian Stepmom Coach, Amelia Lane, about her stepmom journey and her free ebook, Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Stepmom. Live in Canada? You can find Amelia at lanestepfamilycoaching.com Grab your freebie here.

Do you ever just get to react to the craziness in your blended family the way you want to without that twinge of conviction from the Holy Spirit? I don't... but I have found that the "juice" is worth the "squeeze"! Join me in a  convo about some of what I learned while waiting on the hearts of my bonus children to respond to me loving them.

Join Cheryl and Tamara Johnson, aka, Tammy J, of Stepmom Goals as they talk about defining and cultivating intimacy in a blended couple marriage. Follow Tammy J. at Stepmom Goals on Instagram and Facebook Show your Bonus Mom fierceness and pickup your Stepmom Goals t-shirt at Amazon.

Past trauma can cause stepmoms to live in fear of future calamity. In turn, that fear,  ciphers our joy in the moments,  traps us in the present torment of harrowing circumstances, and inspires disbelief in God's promises for the future. Cheryl speaks with author, Sara Broyhill Anderson about her new book: The Best is Yet to Come: Facing the Fears of Today with God's Hope for Tomorrow. Join us as Sara encourages you to take the long view for every area of your life because,  as Sara writes: Today, your worry ends. The future has been set: The Best Is Yet to Come! Pick up The Best is Yet to Come at Amazon Subscribe to Sara's blog: Fruits of Faith Ministries Connect with Fruits of Faith Ministries on Facebook

Welcome back for part 2 of a conversation with Cheryl, and her friends, Author Summer Butler, Author Jennifer Elwood, Pastor Ernestine Howard, and Pastor Angela Wimberly, about soul care during this COVID Holiday season. Get Counting Up to Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke, by Jennifer Elwood at Amazon or  jenniferelwood.com Pick up Summer's book, Blended: Aligning the Hierarchy of Heart and Home at Amazon or blendedbookco.com

Join Cheryl and her friends, Author Summer Butler, Author Jennifer Elwood, Pastor Ernestine Howard, and Pastor Angela Wimberly, for part one of a holiday round table sure to bless and encourage you. Tune in next week for part two. Get Counting Up to Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke, by Jennifer Elwood at Amazon or  jenniferelwood.com Pick up Summer's book, Blended: Aligning the Hierarchy of Heart and Home at Amazon or blendedbookco.com

If, beginning December 1st,  you read a chapter a day of the gospel of Luke, you will read the entire book by Christmas Eve. But, if you just read it, you might miss the gifts waiting to be discovered.  Join Cheryl and Jennifer Elwood, wife, mom, bonus mom, bonus grandma, as they discuss her new book , Counting Up to Christmas: 24 Gifts from the Gospel of Luke.  They will point you to the true source of peace, and help you prepare your heart to thrive through this unprecedented Holiday Season. Purchase Counting up to Christmas on Amazon or Jennifer's website  Follow Jennifer on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Join the Counting Up to Christmas Facebook Group.

She’s nosy, she’s rigid, she may not want to talk to you, but is she an HCBM (High-Conflict Bio Mom)? If want to know whether or not you’re dealing with normal stepfamily dynamics or if biomom is stepping over into the war zone, listen in on the conversation between Cheryl and Judy Thurman, a Licensed MSW and Clinical Family and Youth Therapist and founder of Higher Ground Counseling Services. as they define the HCBM, and chat about how to deal with her. If you feel you could benefit from professional counseling please feel free to contact her via email at: thurman4790@sbcglobal or via telephone at (734) 218-1399 She accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Medicare and Medicaid. And charges on a sliding fee scale.

Who are you stepmomming for? What's the measurement for determining success? Failure? If it's not "Well done" then perhaps it's time for a calibration of the heart.  Listen in on a conversation with Cheryl and author, Summer Butler about her new Bible Study for Stepfamilies titled, Blended: Aligning the Hierarchy of Heart and Home, as they chat about getting God's perspective on our approach to blended family life.

Are you trapped inside a prison of comparison and measuring up? Feeling ashamed when you don't? Prideful or content when you do? Would you be surprised to know you are your prison guard. It's time to walk out the prison gates! Join me in a conversation with author Shannon Popkin as we discuss her new book, Comparison Girl: Lessons from Jesus on Me-Free Living in a Measure-Up World. 

We all have something from  which we have learned, survived, overcome.  With that survival came a deposit of strength and perspective meant to serve others in our lives. Join author Tiffany Mensah and she discusses her journey of healing from witnessing  the abuse her minister Father inflicted on her Mother and how her recovery served her role as her stepdaughter's bonus mom. Be sure to visit Tiffany's website at www.tiffanymensah.com where you can purchase her memoir: Forgotten: Living in the Shadows of Domestic Violence

Stepfamilies are fertile ground in which offense can thrive and grow into division, resentment, bitterness, and sin. Jesus said it's impossible for offenses to not happen.  When Jesus mentions an inevitability which could cause us to stumble He also provides the way to escape. In today's episode we're going to chat about how to guard against and recover from the inevitable offense which will try to derail God's promise for our families.

Are you struggling with the heaviness of unforgiveness? Racked with guilt about anger you can't let go? The same Jesus who invited you to exchange His easy yoke for your heavy burden, beckons you now to know the freedom of forgiving. Listen in as Cheryl is interviewed on the subject of Forgiveness.

Are you worn out by feeling like you have to choose between your marriage and your children? Or are you struggling with playing second fiddle to the bonus children in your life? The messages are mixed. Your heart is torn. Let's talk about it with our guests, the Wimberly's: a couple with almost 30 years of blended family life. and an answer which may fill you with hope and challenge you at the same time.

Let's get real Sis. Your family was a family before you became a part of it. With its own history, tradition, language, and fun memories. It's easy to feel like an outsider. Listen in as Diane Morning helps us navigate the tension we feel when we're reliving "pre-me" history while carving out our space in our family.

Heard Cheryl's journey to stepmom life but still wondering, "What in the Sam Hill is Stepmom Sanity?" Take a listen and discover why you can thrive in your role without losing your mind!

It’s crazy hard to be the stepmom you want to be when you’re dealing with rejection, exes, and the triple Misses (misunderstood, mis-characterized, and misjudged). Journey with Cheryl Shumake, a stepmom educator and founder of Stepmom Sanity, every other Thursday, as she interviews guests who have found the secret to flourishing in the topsy-turvy world of living in step.